“But that doesn’t matter. The politicians of Earth have decided our neighbors are dangerous, so dangerous they are. Because we do not agree, because we know that judgments must be based on facts, on the evidence, not on rumor and fear, the yewners are going to invade our home, push us aside, and tell our neighbors that they must leave or die.”
She paused for breath. No one moved. No one murmured or stirred. She had them. They heard her and they understood. Only some of this had actually been said out loud by Secretary Kent, but the people around her accepted Helen’s expansions without question.
Cold fear reached inside Michael’s mind.
“To make good on this threat, they need Venera. They need our home, our equipment, the products of our sweat and our vision. They need our minds, our experience, and our inspiration. If we deny them Venera, if we deny them ourselves, they cannot threaten the murder of the only other intelligent species humanity has ever met.
“I cannot, I will not, order anyone to cooperate with this aim. I can only say I will not permit this invasion. I will not permit this usurpation of everything I have worked for. I will stand alone if I need to, but I still stand, here.” She stabbed her finger toward the floor. “On this deck which I helped build, in this place that I helped, that you helped, bring to life. No one is going to take it away from me and use it for murder, or threat of murder. No one. Ever.”
The cheer was deafening. It rang off the walls and the ceiling and reverberated through the deck. It surrounded the people who thrust fists into the air, hugged each other, stomped their feet, clapped hands, babbled out their agreement. A few, a very few, Michael noticed, stood stock still, their eyes cast down and their faces pale. A very few had the good sense to stand in the presence of that speech and be afraid.
And you? he asked himself as he watched the storm of energy and anger pouring out around him. She’s doing it. She’s starting her own little dictatorship right here. Look at it. The first steps have already been taken. What are you going to do about it?
Michael searched the crowd for familiar faces, looking to see what friends and colleagues were doing. A shock of fear ran through him. He couldn’t recognize anybody. They’d been transformed out of all recognition by their excitement, by Helen.
I can’t even see Jolynn. Where’s Jolynn?
Helen held up her hands for silence. It took a moment, but the crowd quieted down and turned its attention fully on her again.
“This is not going to be easy. This is not going to be without risk. The C.A.C. is sending up the military to take Venera from us. They’ve threatened a trade embargo and a complete communications shutdown. If we’re going to resist, we’re going to be placing ourselves and our children in danger.
“I do not want anyone at risk who does not believe in what we are doing. I do not want any children at risk at all. The Queen Isabella enters high orbit tomorrow, and they will take with them anyone who wants to leave.
“We only have a few days to perform an evacuation and set our defense plans into motion. Fortunately, we only need a few days. I want everyone to consider their lives, their needs, and their beliefs and then make up their minds. No judgment will be cast on anyone who wants to leave. If you cannot support us honestly, then you are better off elsewhere, and we are better off with you elsewhere.”
Silence. Some shuffling feet and rustling cloth and a few coughs, but mostly profound, attentive silence.
“Finally, let me say this. Our new neighbors have promised to help us. We are not alone in what we do. We will never be alone and at anyone’s mercy again.”
Another cheer, just as deafening, just as prolonged, and just as transforming. Michael looked from Helen, who looked grimly satisfied with her work, to Ben standing beside her. Ben’s face was flushed, but not with anger. This time it was with an unfamiliar excitement, as if he were looking forward to what was coming next.
Suddenly Michael couldn’t stand it anymore. He turned on his heel and walked away. He didn’t know if Helen or Ben looked after him. He didn’t care. He was barely aware of the touch of bodies against him as he pushed his way toward the stairs. He had to get out of the hall, away from the crowd of strangers around Helen.
Where is Jolynn?
The residential corridors were empty. Everyone who hadn’t crammed into the Mall was in their rooms, he supposed, watching the spectacle.
Stop. Wait. Michael made himself halt. He stood there, hand on the wall, feeling the slight padding of the soundproofing under his fingers, as if it would keep him grounded and remind him where he really was and what was really going on.
Jolynn is at home. She’s with the kids. Everything is okay. He took a deep breath. You need to work out what you’re doing. Are you just following along, or are you going to make your own plans?